Automatic Rotary Produce Bagger

ABSTRACT

An embodiment includes a pivot, a first station comprising: (a)(i) first clamps to secure a first bag, and (a)(ii) first panels to move a front side of the first bag away from a back side of the first bag; a second station comprising: (b)(i) second clamps to secure a second bag, and (b)(ii) second panels to move a front side of the second bag away from a back side of the second bag; at least one processor to: (c)(i) rotate the first and second stations around the pivot to simultaneously locate the first station at a first rotation stage and the second station at a second rotation stage, (c)(ii) clamp the first clamps to the first bag at the first station; moving the second panels away from each other to open the second bag at the second station; and (c)(iii) fill the third bag at the third station.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/407,992, filed Oct. 13, 2016, and entitled “Rotary indexingautomatic bagger for pouch style bags”, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention are in the field of packaging and, inparticular, produce packaging.

BACKGROUND

Loading machine systems come in varied forms. For example, some loadersare for inorganic matter (e.g., toys, clothing) while others loaders arefor organic matter (e.g., food articles including melons, potatoes,apples, onions, citrus, and the like). These loaders may operate inharsh environments, subject to dust, dirt, heat, long hours ofoperation, and the like. One such loader (a carousel loader) isdescribed in United States Patent Application Publication No.20150082745, assigned to FOX SOLUTIONS, LLC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention willbecome apparent from the appended claims, the following detaileddescription of one or more example embodiments, and the correspondingfigures. Where considered appropriate, reference labels have beenrepeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements.

FIG. 1 includes a perspective view of an embodiment of an autobagger.

FIG. 2 depicts a bag filling stage in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a filled bag in transit to an off load belt in anembodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts an off load belt transferring a filled bag towards a heatsealer in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 includes a perspective view of an embodiment of an automaticbagger.

FIG. 6 depicts clamps clamping onto a bag in an embodiment. The bag istaken from a magazine of bags by an automatic bagger machine that doesnot require a human user to load each bag into clamps.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment with clamps (which clamp onto bag) movingtowards each other to form an opening in which bag opening panels areinserted and moved away from each other to further open the bag.

FIG. 8 depicts bag filling in an embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts offloading a filled bag onto an off load belt in anembodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts an off load belt advancing the filled bag towards theheat sealer in an embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts an off load belt coupled to a conveyor belt that conveysa filled bag to a heat sealer in an embodiment.

FIG. 12 depicts a controller/processor based system, including acontroller (i.e., processor), which couples to a rotary bagger tocontrol rotation of stations in an embodiment.

FIG. 13 includes a method in an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like structures maybe provided with like suffix reference designations. In order to showthe structures of various embodiments more clearly, the drawingsincluded herein are diagrammatic representations of structures. Thus,the actual appearance of the fabricated structures, for example in aphotograph, may appear different while still incorporating the claimedstructures of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, the drawings mayonly show the structures useful to understand the illustratedembodiments. Additional structures known in the art may not have beenincluded to maintain the clarity of the drawings. “An embodiment”,“various embodiments” and the like indicate embodiment(s) so describedmay include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but notevery embodiment necessarily includes the particular features,structures, or characteristics. Some embodiments may have some, all, ornone of the features described for other embodiments. “First”, “second”,“third” and the like describe a common object and indicate differentinstances of like objects are being referred to. Such adjectives do notimply objects so described must be in a given sequence, eithertemporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. “Connected”may indicate elements are in direct physical or electrical contact witheach other and “coupled” may indicate elements co-operate or interactwith each other, but they may or may not be in direct physical orelectrical contact.

Produce bags for automatic produce packing machines may include holes.Using the holes the bags can be suspended from wickets or pegs on anautomatic packing machine. Such bags may include polyethylene film, orfilms made from various (different/alternative) resins with differentproperties. Produce bags may include a synthetic resin open fabric meshsuch as the bags described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,120, assigned toKenneth Fox Supply Co. of McAllen, Tex. Such bags may include asynthetic resin fabric open mesh, such as the nonwoven fabric ofcross-laminated synthetic resin fibers or strands known as CrossLaminated Airy Fabric® or (CLAF). This fabric is an open mesh materialof cross-laminated warp and weft strands or fibers of synthetic resin.Produce bags may include other synthetic resin open mesh fabrics ofslitted or extruded strands, or extruded filaments where thecross-directional components are bonded together by alternativeprocesses that include, but not limited to, heat lamination, ultrasonicbonding, or adhesive bonding. Some of these open mesh structure fabricsinclude Meltac (Hagihara) and Otx (Oxtex Co., Ltd).

Other types of bags include, for example, pouch bags such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,561,882, assigned to Kenneth Fox Supply Co.of McAllen, Tex.

Applicant determined some pouch bags pose a difficult challenge to fillwith automatic bagger equipment.

As used herein, an “automatic bagger” is a loading machine thatautomatically loads and opens a bag. For example, an automatic baggerloading device does not require a human operator to open the bag orplace the bag (on a bag-by-bag basis) onto the machine. Instead, once auser supplies a plurality of bags (such as 30 bags coupled together in a“sleeve” or “magazine” of bags) on the loader device the machine maythen “pick” the bags one-by-one to load them into the machine, openthem, and then fill them—all without the direct help of a humanoperator. In contrast, baggers such as the bagger of United StatesPatent Application Publication No. 20150082745 include embodiments thatrequire a human operator to load bags one by one. For instance, UnitedStates Patent Application Publication No. 20150082745 provides “Whenraising the bag over the clamps the operator contacts a trigger wand(e.g., wand 250 of FIG. 2) with the back of his or her hand. The wandsends an air pulse to a valve that activates a cylinder (e.g., cylinderactuator 447 of FIG. 4) and pneumatically opens the bag and clamps it inplace awaiting product.”

Applicant determined some pouch bags pose a difficult challenge to fillwith automatic bagger equipment because such bags (or some types of suchbags) do not have wicket pin hole portions (U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,120 foran example of wicket pin holes) that can be torn off by the machineprior to filling. Such pouch bags cannot be loaded on wicket pins fromthe front, attached from the back, and filled as wicket bags are filled.Instead, some pouch bags must be loaded on the machine with the handleor by other means. Applicant further determined the shape and stiffnessof some pouch bags also pose complications for the handling of the bags.Pouch bags are typically much stiffer than other forms of bags (e.g.,bags described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,120). The material of many pouchbags is more ridged and typically thicker than wicket hole bags (e.g.,bags described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,120). This stiffness means thatthe handling and opening of the bag needs to be more substantial (e.g.,greater air pressure for suction heads that attach to bags) andadjustable. Many pouch bags also have more material towards the bottomof the bag as the shape allows for the bag to present upright. Thismeans that the bottom of an unopened unfilled bag can be up to 5 timesthicker than the top area of the bag.

An embodiment includes an automatic bagger for many types of bagsincluding, without limitation, pouch style bags. More specifically, theembodiment includes an automatic bagger using handle style pouch bags.Such a bagger may use rotary indexing. An embodiment utilizes a servodrive motor to rotate and accurately start and stop a 4 station turretat each of the 4 positions (although other embodiments may have more orless than 4 stations).

As used herein, a “turret” includes a structure with tools (e.g., bagclamps or bag spreading panels) projecting radially that can be indexedaround the structure to bring each tool to bear on work (e.g., securingor opening or filling a bag or container).

As used herein, a “servo drive” receives a command signal from a controlsystem (such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) discussed herein),amplifies the signal, and transmits electric current to a servo motor inorder to produce motion proportional to the command signal. The commandsignal may represent a desired speed but can also represent a desiredtorque or position. A sensor attached to the servo motor reports themotor's actual status back to the servo drive. The servo drive thencompares the actual motor status with the commanded motor status. Itthen alters the voltage, frequency, and/or pulse width to the motor soas to correct for any deviation from the commanded status.

An embodiment includes multiple stations. See, for example, FIG. 1.

At station 1 (not shown), the machine 100 removes a bag from a bagholding system using vacuum head suction attached to a guided cylinder.When a signal is received the guided cylinder will slide in towards thebag and the vacuum heads will activate and attach to the bag. Only afterphysical attachment is achieved will the head assembly (and suction cup)slide back with the attached bag (moving the bag into position toreceive product). If no physical attachment is achieved between thesuction head and bag the signal will be sent again and the processrepeat.

Clamps 101, 102 located on both sides of the vacuum head cylinderassembly (and attached to a wear resistant material block) rotateinwards (see direction 103) and clamp to each side of a bag. Therotation and clamping functions are handled by pneumatic cylinders 104and pivot points 105 to control movement and travel. The clamps controlthe upper and outer edges of both bag sides under the adjustable 107pinch clamps. The pinch clamps are coated with non-slip material on thesurfaces that interact with the bag material.

The turret rotates to station 2 where two opposing vacuum heads attachedto guided cylinders slide in towards the bag. The vacuum heads attach tothe bag and pull back in opposing direction thereby opening the bag. Asthe guided cylinders are in transition towards the bag the pinch clamparms pivot or slide inward towards each other creating slack in the bagand an opening in the bag as the vacuum heads continue to pull back.Flaps 108 (mounted within the chute and above the clamps) rotatedownward into the bag stretching and creating an opening in the bag.

The turret then rotates to station 3 (passing a photo eye whichregisters a bag is in place) and stops when the bag/head are in aprecise desired location. A variable speed conveyor 109 (FIG. 2)immediately starts and discharges a predetermined weigh of productthrough the chute 108 (FIG. 3) and into the open bag 110. The conveyorrun time is controlled by an operator available timer.

The turret then rotates to station 4 with a filled bag. The flaps 108immediately fold up to allow the pinch clamps 101, 102 to pivot awayfrom each other thereby stretching the bag 110 top tightly across itswidth. As the machine continues its rotation pinch clamps 101, 102release as the bag is handed off onto offload belts 111 (FIG. 4) thatlead to a horizontal bag heat sealer.

While each head is at each of the four stations the above operations areoccurring simultaneously. This creates a high speed machine whileallowing time for each operation as rotation to the next station iscontrolled by how long it takes to load the produce into the bag

As a result, embodiments solve a problem that limits the speed of linearstyle machines. In a linear style machine the complete operation ofloading, opening, filling, and sealing the bag happens in the sameplace. Consequently a new bag cannot be presented until the previous baghas finished the above operations. With a linear style machine vacuumingthe new bag off the bag magazine, opening the bag, and inserting thechute doors into the bag will generally take 2-3 seconds. Filling andsealing the bag takes an additional 2-3 seconds so a total time for 1bag could reach 6 seconds.

Embodiments solve this problem with an indexing turret. In an embodimenta bag is ready and opened one station behind a filled bag. As soon asthe machine rotates between stations (e.g., approximately 0.6 sec) a newbag is under the filling conveyor. Approximately 2 seconds are used foreach bag due to the fact that the embodiment is performing loading,opening, filling, and sealing operations at different stations. Thus,the embodiment provides a great advance in efficiency over previoustechnologies.

There are several areas of novelty in embodiments, some of which areaddressed below.

First, an embodiment includes a pneumatic rotary bag changer. When themachine runs out of bags, the changer will automatically rotate aroundand restart the machine.

Second, an embodiment includes indexing bag holders on the turretsection with a pneumatic driven bag opening/stretching flap assemblythat travels with the bag holders. This keeps the bag ready forimmediate filling once the bag indexes into place under the fillingconveyor.

Third, an embodiment includes a quick change bag opening/stretchingflaps assembly that allows for wider or narrower bags to be utilized onthe machine. For example, see slide system 107 as well as knob 112(which allows plate 108 to slide making the corresponding chute wider ornarrower) and knob 113.

Fourth, an embodiment includes a turret section that has its ownprogrammable electronic (e.g., PLC) and pneumatic control. Most otherturret style machines use cam driven clamping and actuation due to, forexample, the difficulty in supplying power and compressed air to therotating structure.

An embodiment includes a system 500 (FIG. 5) comprising a turret 504.System 500 also includes a first station 501, coupled to the turret,comprising first clamps 511 configured to secure a first bag 512 (FIG.6, showing a bag removed from a sleeve of bags and clamped securely byclamps 511)). The first station 501 further includes first panels 512configured to insert within the first bag (FIG. 7) and move a front sideof the first bag away from a back side of the first bag. Station 501also includes first pneumatic cylinders 513 (FIG. 5) configured to movethe first clamps 511 towards each other to open the first bag and tomove the first panels 512 away from each other to open the first bag. Inother words, when clamps move centrally towards each other they createslack in the bag, which creates a void that receives panels 512 sopanels 512 can separate the bag walls from each other (so the bag can befilled).

The embodiment includes a second station 502, coupled to the turret 504,comprising: second clamps 521 configured to secure a second bag, secondpanels 522 configured to insert within the second bag and move a frontside of the second bag away from a back side of the second bag, secondpneumatic cylinders 523 configured to move the second clamps towardseach other to open the second bag and to further move the second panelsaway from each other to open the second bag.

The embodiment includes a third station 503, coupled to the turret,comprising: third clamps 531 configured to secure a third bag, thirdpanels 532 configured to insert within the third bag and move a frontside of the third bag away from a back side of the third bag, and thirdpneumatic cylinders 533 configured to move the third clamps towards eachother to open the third bag and to further move the third panels awayfrom each other to open the third bag.

The embodiment 500 includes at least one memory, at least one processor(such as a PLC), coupled to the memory, to perform operations comprisingrotating each of the first, second, and third stations 501, 502, 503around the turret to simultaneously locate the first station at a firstrotation stage, the second station at a second rotation stage, and thethird station at a third rotation stage. The operations further compriseclamping the first clamps 511 to the first bag at the first station(FIG. 6); moving the second clamps 521 towards each other to open thesecond bag at the second station (FIG. 7); moving the second panels 522away from each other to open the second bag at the second station (FIG.7); and filling the third bag with produce at the third station (FIG.8).

In an embodiment moving the second panels 522 away from each other toopen the second bag at the second station comprises simultaneouslymoving one of the second panels at a first speed and another of thesecond panels at the same first speed. Ensuring the panels move awayfrom each other simultaneously ensures the bag is opened withoutshifting forwards or backwards and consequently out of line withproducts (e.g., produce, toys, electronic articles, cell phones) thatwill be filled into the bag.

An embodiment comprises rollers 541 (FIG. 10). The PLC operationscomprise rotating the rollers to advance the third bag away from thethird station once the third bag is filled with product. Thus, the bagis moved from the third stage (filling) to the takeoff belt system 542(FIG. 9) where it is later advanced to a conveyor belt 543 and then to aheat sealer 544 (FIG. 11) that seals opposing sides of the bag together.

An embodiment comprises the PLC and turret rotating the first stationfrom the first rotation stage to the second rotation stage whilesimultaneously rotating the second station from the second rotationstage to the third rotation stage. In other words, for example, stations501, 502, 503 all rotate simultaneously about turret 504.

An embodiment includes rotating the first station a first distancebetween the first and second rotation stages (e.g., the distancecorresponding to a 30 degree turn) at a first speed and then rotatingthe first station a second distance between the first and secondrotation stages (e.g., the distance corresponding to a 60 degree turn)at a second speed that is faster than the first speed. Thus, thestations rotate a length (e.g., 90 degrees) but they do so in two parts.A first part is slower, which allows a station in the third stage (bagfilling, such as FIG. 8) to gently transfer the bag to the takeoff belt(FIG. 9). After this is done (thus preserving sensitive merchandise),the station may then quickly advance to the next stage at a higher speed(e.g., the 60 degree turn of the 90 degree rotation).

An embodiment includes rotating the rollers to advance the third bagaway from the third station an additional first distance at anadditional first speed and then an additional second distance at anadditional second speed that is slower than the additional first speed.Thus, the rollers 541 rotate at two different speeds. When they receivethe filled bag they operate quickly to stretch the bag out but then slowdown to prepare to offload the bag onto the conveyor belt 543, whichrequires a slower speed in order for heat sealer 544 to operatecorrectly.

An embodiment includes rotating the first station at the first speedwhile simultaneously rotating the rollers at the additional first speed.Thus, the rollers operate at high speed when the turret is rotating atslow speed and the rollers operate at low speed when the turret isrotating at high speed.

An embodiment includes the PLC (or one of a plurality of PLCs) changingthe additional first speed from a first value to a second value (that isunequal to the first value) and/or changing the first speed from a firstvalue to a second value that is unequal to the first value. This is anadvantage due to use of a PLC(s). The use of a controller(s) (e.g., FIG.12) allows these speeds to be changed to accommodate differently sizedbags, that may take longer fill times and the like. For instance, thebags may have different sizes because they have different volumes (onefor limes and one for grapefruits).

An embodiment includes rotating the rollers at the first speed inresponse to rotating the first station at the first speed. Thus, theroller may start/stop based on the rotation of the turret. In anembodiment when the turret initially moves (e.g., begins a 90 degreerotation) the rollers 541 start and the rollers 541 stop when the turretno longer moves.

Thus, the embodiments of FIGS. 5-10 include various advantages overprevious systems.

First, the bag open arms 522 are located on each head. The arms 522travel with the head 502 at all times and are an integral part of theopening and filling of the bag. They are driven by an air cylinder(s)523 and a bell crank linkage (for timing purposes) which opens the twobag sides at exactly the same rate (i.e., same initiation of movementand same rate of movement). In contrast to conventional technologies,the arms 522 do not park in one place, wait for the bag to appear underthem, then open the bag (possibly while the bag is moving horizontally),race along with the bag while it is filled, and then rapidly backtrackhorizontally to be in position for the next bag. Having multiple sets ofarms (instead of just one set that “hustles” back and forth as describedimmediately above) that travel with the stations keeps this bag openingoperation simple and at a slow even speed.

Second, the bag pinch clamps 521 and bag open arms 522 are controlled bya PLC(s) that is coupled to the turret of the machine. Other machinescontrol bag pinch clamps and bag open arms by cams, springs, orcylinders mounted on the fixed frame, essentially making these machinesturret sections dumb machines (no ability to change to accommodatedifferently sized bags and/or adjust speeds of belt in real time or “onthe fly”). However, an embodiment controlled by a PLC is a smart machinethat can be easily changed to allow for different bags, product, speedchanges, and the like.

Third, an embodiment includes takeoff belts 542 that receive the bagfrom the machine. These belts start and stop and, in an embodiment, donot run continuously. They are driven by a servomotor/gearbox. When theturret rotates it moves 90 degrees in two steps. The first third of therotation (30 degrees) is done at a slow speed. During this slow speedpart of the rotation the bag is handed to the takeoff belts which aresignaled to start as soon as the machine rotates. The belts 541 also runat 2 speeds of which the first speed is faster than the second speed.Using the slow speed of turret rotation for the first third of therotation of the turret lets the machine hand the bag off gently to thebelts. This is important when the machine is packing fragile products(e.g., apples, electronics) so the machine does not bruise or damage themerchandise during the acceleration of the bag. As soon as the firststep is finished and the bag is released from clamps 521 the machinejumps to its top speed to finish the final two thirds (60 degrees) ofthe 90 degree rotation. The purpose of the two speeds of the takeoffbelts is to match the turret speed at bag handoff then slow the bag down(this is why the second speed of the rollers is slower than the firstspeed of the roller) before it enters the sealer. The sealer runs at aslightly higher speed than the takeoff belts which stretches out the bagtop to make sure it is flat and straight before being sealed

Conventional systems do these motions (e.g., roller speed) at a singlespeed, either sacrificing production by running slowly to not damage theproduct or running at high speed and damaging the product due to therapid acceleration.

Referring now to FIG. 12, shown is a block diagram of a system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.Multiprocessor system 1000 is a point-to-point interconnect system, andincludes a first processor 1070 (such as the PLC mentioned above) and asecond processor 1080 coupled via a point-to-point interconnect 1050.Each of processors 1070 and 1080 may be multicore processors such asSoCs, including first and second processor cores (i.e., processor cores1074 a and 1074 b and processor cores 1084 a and 1084 b), althoughpotentially many more cores may be present in the processors. Inaddition, processors 1070 and 1080 each may include a secure engine 1075and 1085 to perform security operations such as attestations.

First processor 1070 further includes a memory controller hub (MCH) 1072and point-to-point (P-P) interfaces 1076 and 1078. Similarly, secondprocessor 1080 includes a MCH 1082 and P-P interfaces 1086 and 1088.MCH's 1072 and 1082 couple the processors to respective memories, namelya memory 1032 and a memory 1034, which may be portions of main memory(e.g., a DRAM) locally attached to the respective processors. Firstprocessor 1070 and second processor 1080 may be coupled to a chipset1090 via P-P interconnects 1052 and 1054, respectively. Chipset 1090includes P-P interfaces 1094 and 1098.

Furthermore, chipset 1090 includes an interface 1092 to couple chipset1090 with a high performance graphics engine 1038, by a P-P interconnect1039. In turn, chipset 1090 may be coupled to a first bus 1016 via aninterface 1096. Various input/output (I/O) devices 1014 may be coupledto first bus 1016, along with a bus bridge 1018 which couples first bus1016 to a second bus 1020. Various devices may be coupled to second bus1020 including, for example, a keyboard/mouse 1022, communicationdevices 1026 and a data storage unit 1028 such as a non-volatile storageor other mass storage device. As seen, data storage unit 1028 mayinclude code 1030, in one embodiment. As further seen, data storage unit1028 also includes a trusted storage 1029 to store sensitive informationto be protected. Further, an audio I/O 1024 may be coupled to second bus1020.

Program instructions may be used to cause a general-purpose or specialpurpose processing system that is programmed with the instructions toperform the operations described herein. Alternatively, the operationsmay be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwiredlogic for performing the operations, or by any combination of programmedcomputer components and custom hardware components. The methodsdescribed herein may be provided as (a) a computer program product thatmay include one or more machine readable media having stored thereoninstructions that may be used to program a processing system or otherelectronic device to perform the methods or (b) at least one storagemedium having instructions stored thereon for causing a system toperform the methods. The term “machine readable medium” or “storagemedium” used herein shall include any medium that is capable of storingor encoding a sequence of instructions (transitory media, includingsignals, or non-transitory media) for execution by the machine and thatcause the machine to perform any one of the methods described herein.The term “machine readable medium” or “storage medium” shall accordinglyinclude, but not be limited to, memories such as solid-state memories,optical and magnetic disks, read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM(PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a diskdrive, a floppy disk, a compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), a digital versatiledisk (DVD), flash memory, a magneto-optical disk, as well as more exoticmediums such as machine-accessible biological state preserving or signalpreserving storage. A medium may include any mechanism for storing,transmitting, or receiving information in a form readable by a machine,and the medium may include a medium through which the program code maypass, such as antennas, optical fibers, communications interfaces, andthe like. Program code may be transmitted in the form of packets, serialdata, parallel data, and the like, and may be used in a compressed orencrypted format. Furthermore, it is common in the art to speak ofsoftware, in one form or another (e.g., program, procedure, process,application, module, logic, and so on) as taking an action or causing aresult. Such expressions are merely a shorthand way of stating that theexecution of the software by a processing system causes the processor toperform an action or produce a result.

A module as used herein refers to any hardware, software, firmware, or acombination thereof. Often module boundaries that are illustrated asseparate commonly vary and potentially overlap. For example, a first anda second module may share hardware, software, firmware, or a combinationthereof, while potentially retaining some independent hardware,software, or firmware. In one embodiment, use of the term logic includeshardware, such as transistors, registers, or other hardware, such asprogrammable logic devices. However, in another embodiment, logic alsoincludes software or code integrated with hardware, such as firmware ormicro-code.

FIG. 13 includes a method 1300. Block 1301 includes providing a systemcomprising a pivot, (a) a first station, coupled to the pivot,comprising: (a)(i) first clamps configured to secure a first bag, and(a)(ii) first panels configured to insert within the first bag and movea front side of the first bag away from a back side of the first bag,(b) a second station, coupled to the pivot, comprising: (b)(i) secondclamps configured to secure a second bag, and (b)(ii) second panelsconfigured to insert within the second bag and move a front side of thesecond bag away from a back side of the second bag, and (c) a thirdstation, coupled to the pivot, comprising: (c)(i) third clampsconfigured to secure a third bag, (c)(ii) third panels configured toinsert within the third bag and move a front side of the third bag awayfrom a back side of the third bag. Block 1302 includes rotating each ofthe first, second, and third stations around the pivot to simultaneouslylocate the first station at a first rotation stage, the second stationat a second rotation stage, and the third station at a third rotationstage. Block 1303 includes clamping the first clamps to the first bag atthe first station. Block 1304 includes moving the second clamps towardseach other to open the second bag at the second station and moving thesecond panels away from each other to open the second bag at the secondstation. Block 1305 includes filling the third bag with produce at thethird station.

In an embodiment the first, second, and third stations aresimultaneously deployed in three different stages (each stage 90 degreesfrom another stage). For example, one station includes clamps clampingonto a bag (with the bag taken from a bag magazine) while simultaneouslya second station includes clamps pinching towards each other (to form asmall bag opening in which panels are inserted to further open the bagwhile simultaneously a third bag is being filled). This does notnecessarily mean that clamps are in the process of being moved to clamponto a bag while panels are dynamically moving away from each other tospread a bag (however, in some embodiments that is indeed the case).Instead, “the first, second, and third stations are simultaneouslydeployed in three different stages” means three locations in therotation of the turret are occupied by three bags that are respectivelyin locations where they are (a) being clamped, opened, and filled, (b)have been clamped, opened, and filled, or (c) soon will be clamped,opened, and filled.

While examples have shown a station, such as station 501, at a firststage (e.g., taking a bag from a magazine and clamping clamps to thebag) that same station 501 will then rotate to a second stage (e.g.,opening the bag), and then that same station 501 will then rotate to athird stage (e.g., bag filling). The head or station hardware (e.g.,clamps 511 and arms 513) will rotate along with the station.

While embodiments discuss clamps 511, other means for coupling to a bag(or container) are within the scope of embodiments and include airpressure cups, electrostatic tools, and the like.

While embodiments discuss panels 512, other means for spreading the bag(or container) are within the scope of embodiments and include extension(sticks or rods), air pressure cups, electrostatic tools, and the like.

While embodiments discuss pouch bags, other bags (bags with wicket holesor finger holes or voids that serve as handles) are within the scope ofembodiments.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. This description and the claims following include terms, suchas left, right, top, bottom, over, under, upper, lower, first, second,etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to beconstrued as limiting. The embodiments of a device or article describedherein can be manufactured, used, or shipped in a number of positionsand orientations. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciatethat many modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teaching. Persons skilled in the art will recognize variousequivalent combinations and substitutions for various components shownin the Figures. It is therefore intended that the scope of the inventionbe limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a turret, a first station,coupled to the turret, comprising: (a)(i) first clamps configured tosecure a first bag, (a)(ii) first panels configured to insert within thefirst bag and move a front side of the first bag away from a back sideof the first bag, (a)(iii) first pneumatic cylinders configured to movethe first clamps towards each other to open the first bag and to movethe first panels away from each other to open the first bag; a secondstation, coupled to the turret, comprising: (b)(i) second clampsconfigured to secure a second bag, (b)(ii) second panels configured toinsert within the second bag and move a front side of the second bagaway from a back side of the second bag, (b)(iii) second pneumaticcylinders configured to move the second clamps towards each other toopen the second bag and to move the second panels away from each otherto open the second bag; a third station, coupled to the turret,comprising: (c)(i) third clamps configured to secure a third bag,(c)(ii) third panels configured to insert within the third bag and movea front side of the third bag away from a back side of the third bag,(c)(iii) third pneumatic cylinders configured to move the third clampstowards each other to open the third bag and to move the third panelsaway from each other to open the third bag; at least one memory; atleast one processor, coupled to the memory, to perform operationscomprising: rotating each of the first, second, and third stationsaround the turret to simultaneously locate the first station at a firstrotation stage, the second station at a second rotation stage, and thethird station at a third rotation stage; clamping the first clamps tothe first bag at the first station; moving the second clamps towardseach other to open the second bag at the second station; moving thesecond panels away from each other to open the second bag at the secondstation; and filling the third bag with produce at the third station. 2.The system of claim 1 wherein moving the second panels away from eachother to open the second bag at the second station comprisessimultaneously moving one of the second panels at a first speed andanother of the second panels at the first speed.
 3. The system of claim1 comprising rollers, wherein the operations comprise rotating therollers to advance the third bag away from the third station once thethird bag is filled with product.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein theoperations comprise rotating the first station from the first rotationstage to the second rotation stage while simultaneously rotating thesecond station from the second rotation stage to the third rotationstage.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the operations comprise rotatingthe first station a first distance between the first and second rotationstages at a first speed and then rotating the first station a seconddistance between the first and second rotation stages at a second speedthat is faster than the first speed.
 6. The system of claim 5 whereinthe operations comprise rotating the rollers to advance the third bagaway from the third station an additional first distance at anadditional first speed and then an additional second distance at anadditional second speed that is slower than the additional first speed.7. The system of claim 6 wherein the operations comprise rotating thefirst station at the first speed while simultaneously rotating therollers at the additional first speed
 8. The system of claim 7 whereinthe operations comprise rotating the first station at the second speedwhile simultaneously rotating the rollers at the additional secondspeed.
 9. The system of claim 6 the operations comprising changing theadditional first speed from a first value to a second value that isunequal to the first value.
 10. The system of claim 5 the operationscomprising changing the first speed from a first value to a second valuethat is unequal to the first value.
 11. The system of claim 5 wherein:the first clamps are configurable to secure both the first bag having afirst volume and a fourth bag having a fourth volume that is unequal tothe first volume; and changing the first speed from a first value to asecond value that is unequal to the first value in response toreconfiguring the first clamps to secure the fourth bag instead of thefirst bag.
 12. The system of claim 4 the operations comprising rotatingthe rollers at the first speed in response to rotating the first stationat the first speed.
 13. The system of claim 3 wherein the operationscomprise rotating the rollers to advance the third bag away from thethird station a first distance at a first speed and then a seconddistance at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13 wherein the operations comprise: discontinuingrotating the rollers in response to rotating the rollers at the secondspeed; rotating the rollers at the first speed in response todiscontinuing rotating the rollers; and rotating the rollers at thefirst speed in response to rotating the rollers at the first speed. 15.The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes an automatic bagger.16. The system of claim 15, wherein the system includes a rack toinclude the first, second, and third bags before the first, second, andthird bags are coupled to any of the first, second, and third clamps.17. A system comprising: a pivot, a first station, coupled to the pivot,comprising: (a)(i) first clamps configured to secure a first bag, and(a)(ii) first panels configured to insert within the first bag and movea front side of the first bag away from a back side of the first bag, asecond station, coupled to the pivot, comprising: (b)(i) second clampsconfigured to secure a second bag, and (b)(ii) second panels configuredto insert within the second bag and move a front side of the second bagaway from a back side of the second bag; at least one processor, coupledto at least one memory, to perform operations comprising: (c)(i)rotating each of the first and second stations around the pivot tosimultaneously locate the first station at a first rotation stage andthe second station at a second rotation stage, (c)(ii) clamping thefirst clamps to the first bag at the first station; moving the secondpanels away from each other to open the second bag at the secondstation; and filling the third bag with a product at the third station.18. The system of claim 17 wherein the operations comprise rotating thefirst station from the first rotation stage to the second rotation stagewhile simultaneously rotating the second station from the secondrotation stage to the third rotation stage.
 19. A method comprising:providing a system comprising a pivot, (a) a first station, coupled tothe pivot, comprising: (a)(i) first clamps configured to secure a firstbag, and (a)(ii) first panels configured to insert within the first bagand move a front side of the first bag away from a back side of thefirst bag, (b) a second station, coupled to the pivot, comprising:(b)(i) second clamps configured to secure a second bag, and (b)(ii)second panels configured to insert within the second bag and move afront side of the second bag away from a back side of the second bag,and (c) a third station, coupled to the pivot, comprising: (c)(i) thirdclamps configured to secure a third bag, (c)(ii) third panels configuredto insert within the third bag and move a front side of the third bagaway from a back side of the third bag; rotating each of the first,second, and third stations around the pivot to simultaneously locate thefirst station at a first rotation stage, the second station at a secondrotation stage, and the third station at a third rotation stage;clamping the first clamps to the first bag at the first station; movingthe second clamps towards each other to open the second bag at thesecond station and moving the second panels away from each other to openthe second bag at the second station; and filling the third bag withproduce at the third station.